Air compressors for fitting tyres - bits to go with it

OK so I am currently trying to acquire one of these off Ebay...

Most of them seem to be a 1/4" BSP fitting so assume that this is what I'll end up with.

What accessories do I need in terms of hoses/etc to connect this up to the valve?

I guess I need a "tyre inflator" fitting: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=013

And I probably need a hose to connect the compressor outlet to the tyre inflator fitting: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=011

Is that it? Can anyone confirm the connectors are correct (note the hose has one male one female?)?

Oh and on a separate point, when changing tyres do you change the valves? I thought I had heard of people doing that - using 'valve pullers'?? However they aren't part of the tyre but of the wheel...so, do you need to do this? If so, do I actually need a tool - I thought the valves would be held in by air pressure so would just be fairly loose once the tyre is off the wheel.

Nearly there!

[yorkie_chris]

To get the valve core out, which you need to do to seat the bead, you need to unscrew it from the valve.

There's a tool for this or you can use some very small pliers or make one, don't blame me if using pliers results in a valve core lodged in some part of you.

I deflate the tyre before removing the valve since I pinged a valve core round the garage about 4 times...

Ah right - so to force in enough air (to seat the bead), you need to remove a part of the valve - to get a wide enough opening to let in enough air?

Makes sense if so - will add a "valve tool" to my list of items...

[yorkie_chris]

Only cheap.

I find that the normal blow-gun rather than a tyre chuck works better to seat the bead. Not as easy as brake cleaner though.

[dirtydog]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

I deflate the tyre before removing the valve since I pinged a valve core round the garage about 4 times...

I did that last time. The place where i would normally get my tyres changed just cut the valve to let the air out, obviously only do that if you are actually changing the valve though

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Not as easy as brake cleaner though.

Not as much fun either

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Only cheap.

Do you mean the valve core remover tool? Just bought one on Ebay - ?2.85 inc postage

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

I find that the normal blow-gun rather than a tyre chuck works better to seat the bead. Not as easy as brake cleaner though.

Not sure which bits you refer to when you say normal blow-gun & tyre chuck? Might be terms I am unfamiliar with

[yorkie_chris]

Blow gun ... normal squirty-magig.


Tyre chuck/ inflator





With the valve core removed some tyre inflators won't flow at all, the blowgun is far easier way to flow enough air. Once again, brake cleaner is loads easier!

Don't forget you'll need a pair of axle stands, some chalk, duct tape and balancing weights.

Ah, got it, thanks. I'll look into what other attachments I can get - I'm not that bothered about the pressure gauge if that's the main difference.

Got paddock stands front and back which should be OK I thought (instead of axle stands - for the front was it?)? Got the weights (5g and 10g) ordered already, but chalk/duct tape? What do you use those for?

Hmm strange problem with my post not updating the thread from the 'outside', only visible inside the thread

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by muffles

Ah, got it, thanks. I'll look into what other attachments I can get - I'm not that bothered about the pressure gauge if that's the main difference.

Got paddock stands front and back which should be OK I thought (instead of axle stands - for the front was it?)? Got the weights (5g and 10g) ordered already, but chalk/duct tape? What do you use those for?

The squirter gun isn't just a tyre inflator without the pressure gauge, it's a straight valve so there isn't the obstruction to flow that the tyre inflator has.

To seat a bead you need a lot of airflow, so just push the squirter against the valve (without core)

Axle stands aren't for getting the wheels off, they're for balancing the spindle on to balance the wheels.

Chalk to makr heavy spots, duct tape to tape a weight on to see how much you need.